Golden Cinnamon Bananas

These gooey caramelized banana slices turn regular bananas into a warm, sugary delight that'll jazz up your morning meal or after-dinner treat in minutes. When butter, cinnamon, and honey come together, they make an amazing sauce that wraps each banana piece in mouthwatering goodness.

I came up with this idea when I needed to make plain yogurt more exciting for my fussy kid. These sweet, golden bananas were such a success that we now use them regularly to save nearly-too-ripe bananas from going to waste.

Ingredients

• Bananas: Go for ones that are yellow but still firm so they won't fall apart when sliced and heated
• Cinnamon: Brings cozy, spicy notes that work beautifully with the banana's natural sweetness
• Butter: Gives the sauce its luxurious feel and helps create that lovely golden-brown exterior
• Raw honey: Adds sweetness and helps form that sticky, delicious coating on each banana chunk

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare The Sauce:

Mix honey, butter and cinnamon in your frying pan over medium-high heat. Let everything melt and blend, giving it a gentle stir to mix well. This takes around 1 minute, until you see small bubbles forming.

Slice And Add The Bananas:

Cut your bananas into half-inch rounds so they'll cook evenly while staying intact. Place them in the pan in one layer, making sure each slice touches the hot sauce directly.

Cook First Side:

Don't move the bananas for about 4 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they start to get that golden-brown caramelized look. You might need to turn your heat down if they're browning too fast or up if they're not browning enough.

Flip And Finish:

Using a small spatula, gently flip each banana piece. The first side should be deeply golden with slightly crunchy edges. Cook another 4 minutes until both sides match in color and caramelization.

Serve Immediately:

Move the hot banana slices straight to your breakfast or dessert base. Pour any leftover pan sauce over top for even more flavor.

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The key to getting this right is finding the perfect heat level. If it's too hot, your honey will burn before your bananas cook through. Too cool and you'll miss out on that wonderful caramelization that makes them so good. Medium-high works great on my stove, but you might need to tweak it depending on what you're cooking with.

Perfect Pairings

These sweet, sticky bananas can turn basic breakfast foods into something amazing. Drop them onto a pile of pancakes or waffles, mix them into a bowl of oatmeal, or crown a slice of French toast with them. When you combine warm, soft banana slices with something cold and creamy, you get an amazing mix of temperatures and textures.

Storing Leftovers

Though they're tastiest right after cooking, you can keep any extras in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Warm them up quickly in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or on low heat in a pan. They'll get softer but still taste great. I often toss leftover slices into overnight oats or add them to smoothies.

Healthier Variations

Want a lighter option? Try using half the butter and swap the honey for pure maple syrup. Adding a tiny bit of nutmeg or cardamom with the cinnamon makes the flavor more interesting. If you can't do dairy, coconut oil works great instead of butter and brings a nice tropical flavor that goes really well with bananas.

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These sweet banana slices are quick but impressive—they'll turn your everyday meals into something you can't wait to dig into.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I cook with bananas that are too soft?

Slightly soft bananas work, but very mushy ones can break apart while cooking. Firm, ripe bananas hold their texture best as they caramelize.

→ What can I replace honey with?

Maple syrup, agave nectar, or even brown sugar are great swaps for honey. Each brings a unique sweetness and still caramelizes beautifully.

→ How do I stop the bananas from turning mushy?

Make sure your pan is nice and hot before cooking. Use ripe but firm bananas, avoid adding too many slices at once, and don’t stir too often—just flip them when one side turns golden.

→ Can I switch up the spices?

Absolutely! Add a little nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, or even a splash of vanilla for a new twist. A pinch of salt can also bring out the sweetness.

→ How long can I store them?

These bananas are best when eaten right away while warm. If needed, keep leftovers in the fridge for up to a day and gently reheat before serving.

→ Can I prepare the dish ahead of time for an event?

To keep the best texture and flavor, cook this dish just before serving. Thankfully, it only takes about eight minutes to whip up.